It’s that time of year again! With 2014 coming to a close, we look back on the metal songs which impacted our ears since Jan. 1. For this list, we’re taking into account fan response, songwriting prowess, popularity, creative progression, technical ability and many more dynamics. After a year’s worth of thought, listening to everything we can get our hands on and keeping our ears to the ground, we give you our choices for the 20 Best Metal Songs of 2014!

Judas Priest: "Halls of Valhalla"

Behemoth: "Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer"

Mastodon: "Chimes at Midnight"

Slipknot: "The Negative One"

Overkill: "Armorist"

Insomnium: "While We Sleep"

Exodus: "Salt The Wound"

Septicflesh: "Order of Dracul"

Cynic: "True Halluncination Speak"

Opeth: "Cusp of Eternity"

Arch Enemy: "War Eternal"

Triptykon: "Boleskine House"

Agalloch: "Celestial Effigy"

With Our Arms to the Sun: "Tessellation"

Vader: "Triumph of Death"

Steel Panther: "Gloryhole"

Goatwhore: "Baring Teeth For Revolt"

Slayer: "Implode"

Down: "We Knew Him Well"

Alunah: "Heavy Bough"

British doom act Alunah released the killer 'Awakening the Forest' album this year, led by the track 'Heavy Bough.' The piece of doom psychedelia is a slow burn which becomes increasingly hypnotic as frontwoman Soph Day begins her calm vocal approach. The rest of 'Heavy Bough' is carried by a solid instrumental foundation reminiscent of classic Black Sabbath, though the song consistently maintains its own identity.

If you need some quality psychedelic doom in your life, we suggest you look no further than merry ol’ England. The land that created Black Sabbath and Electric Wizard has also produced Alunah, who will release their third studio album, ‘Awakening the Forest,’ on Oct. 7, and we’ve got the exclusive premiere of a brand new track.

Since 2006, Alunah have trudged out doom psychedelia heavy on the groove. Led by frontwoman Soph Day, the Birmingham band is rounded off by guitarist Dave Day, bassist Dan Burchmore and drummer Jake Mason.We’ve teamed up with the quartet to premiere the music video for ‘Heavy Bough,’ an addictive new track from ‘Awakening the Forest.’ The voice of Soph Day is hypnotic and carried along by a solid instrumental section reminiscent of classic Sabbath.

The video is captivating as well, depicting a hermit-like individual roaming through the woods searching for natural additions to a special potion. “Rhodri Thomas (director) and George D Sanderon (actor) took our vision, inspired by Soph’s lyrics and Michael Cowell’s artwork, and made the video into something magnificent,” Alunah explain. “Elvaston Castle was the perfect location, and we are extremely privileged to have been granted access to such beautiful buildings and grounds. We hope you enjoy it.” Check out the tripped-out clip for Alunah’s ‘Heavy Bough’ above! To pre-order Alunah’s third album, ‘Awakening the Forest,’ click here.

The Obelisk have always supported Alunah, and for that reason we're glad that Napalm Records chose them to premiere our video track "Heavy Bough". JJ also wrote some very kind words about the album (below).

The video is coming very soon, but in the meantime you can listen to it here >>

"I don’t mind telling you I’ve been waiting for Alunah‘s new album for what feels like I really long time. The reality of the situation is that the Birmingham four-piece’s third offering and Napalm Records debut, Awakening the Forest, arrives just two years after their previous full-length, White Hoarhound, but as I’ve continued to enjoy that record since first hearing it, my affection for it only growing with the passing months, it seems much longer. I’m not sure what my ideal follow-up to White Hoarhound would’ve sounded like - or, more to the point, I can’t think of a way in which Awakening the Forest isn’t it.

For those who, like me, were fans of the last one or of 2010′s Call of Avernus before that, the riffs of Dave and Soph Day retain their bounce, and new bassist Dan Burchmore falls in step thickly with drummer Jake Mason to craft a lumbering but still nod-ready groove. At the same time, there’s clear progression evident. The band is more patient, the pieces that make up the memorable six songs more languid. In general, they sound like they’ve been working since White Hoarhound came out, which of course is precisely the case whether one thinks in the sense of getting on the road for shows or bringing in Burchmore and solidifying their lineup. Alunah come across as more comfortable with their psychedelic side - fitting for their consistently pastoral thematic - but Awakening the Forest presents some of their most doomed material as well.

To wit, the rollout of “Heavy Bough.” At just under six minutes, it’s among the shortest songs on Awakening the Forest (only “The Mask of Herne” is shorter, and by five seconds), and marked out by the lead and rhythm interplay of Soph and Dave‘s guitars as well as Soph‘s riff-riding verse and more open chorus. On an album full of hooks, “Heavy Bough” stands out for its nature worship and for its still-grounded take, sandwiched between the more ethereal opener “Bricket Wood Coven” and the side A finale title-track, but if it’s the first you’re hearing of the album, then its primary function will be to remind of just how easily an Alunah track can get stuck in your head. If this is your first experience with the band, all the better you’ve found them at this moment."

We are pleased to announce that our forthcoming album will be titled "Awakening The Forest", and is due for worldwide release in early October.

"We are delighted to introduce our 3rd album "Awakening The Forest" to our old, new and future friends. Recorded by Greg Chandler and mixed/mastered by Tony Reed, we are extremely proud of this album. We are also very lucky to have worked with the exceptional illustrator Michael Cowell who brought our songs to life visually in the CD and LP package. Napalm Records have been very supportive of us throughout the whole process, and we hope that you guys love the album as much as we do. Our video for "Heavy Bough" and also a short film with Michael talking about the artwork are coming soon; both shot and directed by Rhodri Thomas at Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire, England" - Soph Day

"For the third time Alunah spread wide their mighty Doom wings: Following up their exceptional previous albums Call of Avernus (2010) and White Hoarhound (2012), the International Doom community will be tied up again by Awakening The Forest. The English quartet featuring singer Sophie Day forges forward with hard guitars, pumping heavy grooves and a sound to make fans of this genre, fans of this album Awakening The Forest!" - Napalm Records